- YOU’RE ALWAYS TIRED
Exhaustion and fatigue are often the result of inactivity. Even if you’re working 10- hour days in an office behind a computer or travelling by car to appointments, you’re still not physically active enough to make a difference. According to The American Council on Exercise, working out regularly (3-5 times/week, 30 minutes) is the key to staying energized and alert all day.
- YOU CAN’T DO PUSH-UPS
Push-ups are an excellent test, especially for upper body and core strength. To perform a push-up, you should be able to lower yourself with arms tucked close to your body before pushing yourself back up. Anyone less than 50 should be able to do a minimum of 5-10 just to be considered in fair shape.
- YOUR HEART’S TELLING YOU SOMETHING.
A normal resting heart rate is between 60-100 beats/minute. When a fit person exercises the heart speeds up to 140-190 beats/minute to pump oxygen throughout the body. When you stop, the heart slows down to normal by about 20 beats/minute. If you find your heart racing when you climb stairs or carry groceries, you’re probably out of shape and need some cardiovascular activity.
- YOU ARE GAINING WEIGHT
If you’ve noticed your weight is creeping up over time and you do make an effort to eat healthy, the reason is likely your activity level. Regular physical activity will not only maintain your lean muscle mass, which is important for keeping your metabolism strong, but it will also help to boost your metabolism after a workout. This also helps give you a little more leeway with your diet so you’ll see a decreased risk of gaining body fat.
- TAKING THE STAIRS LEAVES YOU OUT OF BREATH
Finding yourself a little out of breath as you climb the stairs is normal, but becoming totally winded after the first couple means that you desperately need to get yourself back in the gym. It’s not normal and is one of the first signs that your body is calling out for some cardio
6. IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR YOUR HEART RATE TO SLOW DOWN
When you’re physically fit and exercising, your heart beats faster to pump needed oxygen throughout your body. Your heart rate can be anywhere between 140 and 190 beats per minute, depending on your age, when you’re considerably exerting yourself. When you stop, your heart rate will decrease by about 20 beats per minute until its back at a normal pace. But if you’re out of shape, it could take much longer. The fitter you are, the faster you’ll recover.
- YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING
If you find yourself unable to sleep at night, you may need to work out more. “People who exercise fall asleep faster and sleep better than people who do not exercise,” says certified personal trainer Jeff Miller.
Studies show that people who exercise for 30 to 40 minutes four times a week show improved sleep quality and feel more rested the following day.
- YOUR BODY ACHES MORE THAN IT USED TO
If you find that you when you do exercise you’re sore for days after your workout session, this is yet another sign that you’re not active enough. Many people believe that working out too frequently is what makes you sore, and while this may be the case if you really overdo it, working out not often enough can cause greater soreness as well. Frequent sessions minimize this because your body will stay accustomed to the movement pattern.
- YOU DON’T SWEAT QUICKLY UPON INTENSE WORKOUT
You might think that sweating is an indication of not being in good physical conditioning, but this is completely untrue. The fitter you are, the better your cooling system will be, therefore the better your body will be able to regulate itself. If you start sweating almost as soon as you boost the intensity of your exercise program, that’s a great sign you’re in good physical shape.
- LOW APPETITE
If you aren’t eating enough throughout the day because your appetite level is low, this could make it difficult to meet key nutritional requirements to maximize your health. Physical exercise regulates your appetite, so if you’re never hungry, this is likely a sign that you aren’t active enough as well.